Survey Engineering Technician (SURV)

Available as a two-year program

Loyalist College offers the only specialized program for survey technicians in Ontario. Using instruments and computer software, survey engineering technicians conduct field measurements and analyze data to determine the precise locations of natural features, structures and property boundaries. Survey technicians are in demand in many industries, including construction, land development, government agencies, and mining and natural resource exploration.

Patrick Prusak, Mason Tolhoek and Philip Moss surveying

Michelle Burke works will fellow students to survey an area near Residence

Experiential learning

Gain extensive hands-on experience using current satellite positioning equipment (GPS), total stations and data collectors during practical survey projects in small groups.

Using current versions of industry software including MicroSurvey, AutoCAD and AutoCAD Civil 3D, create a registered plan of a subdivision and engineering drawings for land development applications and highway design according to provincial and municipal standards.

Graduates are eligible for certification with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

Outstanding faculty make the difference

Learn in small classes with one-on-one attention.

Faculty include experienced Ontario Land Surveyors and Registered Professional Engineers who have worked in government, private industry and built their own business.

Professors have specialized experience with Global Information Systems and integrating Global Positioning Systems into automated machine control for heavy equipment.

A wide network of industry contacts helps connect students with placements and jobs across the country.

Courses

September 2019

First Year - Semester One

BLDG1005 Building Methods & Materials

This course deals with materials used in buildings, and the methods and equipment used in constructing with these materials. Materials include: concrete, masonry, wood and steel.

CADD1004 CAD 1

Cad 1 is an introductory course in 2-D computer aided drafting, using the AutoCAD program. The initial focus of the course is to learn and implement basic commands to create, edit, store and retrieve data. This skill and knowledge is developed through basic, simple drawing assignments. Another component of the course is dedicated to developing print reading skills as related to construction documentation.

COMP1003 Engineering Applications

Students are introduced to Microsoft Office software. The basics of Microsoft Word are learned and Microsoft Excel is used with engineering applications.

SURV1000 Geomatics 1

Geomatics 1 is the first of three courses in surveying offered in the Building Sciences Program and introduces the learner to the survey technologist's/technician's role in communicating land-related information between stakeholders in Architectural/Engineering/Construction (AEC) projects. This dialog is dependent upon the efficient and accurate measurement of angles, distances and differences in elevations and the careful recording of the data gathered. Learners will explore the theory of making measurements during classroom lectures and develop the practical skills of operating automatic levels, total stations, electronic data-collectors, and GPS receivers during weekly field exercises.

MATH1012 Math 1

Students learn to use the mathematical tools that are required in their engineering subjects. Building sciences applications of algebra, geometry and trigonometry are emphasized.

First Year - Semester One (Electives)

SAFE2001 Field Safety

In this course students practice the fundamentals of field traversing with emphasis on the use of basic instruments, standard field procedures, and the taking of concise and accurate field notes.

SURV2001 Field Techniques

Students gain additional practice in field traversing using a wider range of field instruments. There is continued emphasis on standard field procedures and the taking of concise and accurate field notes.

Notes

Select 1 courses from above

First Year - Semester Two

CADD1005 CAD 2

CAD 2 is an extension of CAD1. The objective of this course is to further enhance student's knowledge of the AutoCAD software. Having developed an understanding of basic functions such as geometry creation, editing, dimensioning and annotation, students learn more advanced features of the software to facilitate drawing creation and organization, primarily in a 2-D setting. This will be accomplished by the use of more involved, complex and discipline related projects. A component of the course will also include print reading fundamentals with construction drawings.
Prerequisite: CADD 1004

BLDG1004 Heavy Construction, Methods and Materials

This course deals with materials used in civil engineering works, and the methods and equipment used in construction with these materials. Materials include: soils, concrete, steel, heavy timber, and asphalt.

SURV1001 Highway Technology 1

This course focuses on levels, stadia, topographic and construction survey methods. The development of profiles, cross-sectioning for contour, the placing of grade stakes and batter boards, and circular curves are studied. Drafting and calculations associated with these surveys are performed.
Prerequisite: MATH 1012, SURV 1000

MATH1007 Mathematics 2

This course is a continuation of Mathematics 1.
Prerequisite: MATH 1012

COMM1002 Technical Communications 1

Students develop communication skills for the presentation of technical information in business documents that meet the needs of clients and customers. Documents and presentations are produced in Word and PowerPoint.

The celestial sphere and spherical trigonometry are introduced as background for the use of astronomy in determination of direction on the surface of the earth. Hand calculators and microcomputer solutions are used in the reduction of field observations.

Students study the role of the construction superintendent with special emphasis on leadership, labour relations, construction management and safety at the site level.

SAFE2001 Field Safety

In this course students practice the fundamentals of field traversing with emphasis on the use of basic instruments, standard field procedures, and the taking of concise and accurate field notes.

SURV2000 Geomatics 2

This course is about engineering and construction surveying. It introduces the student to the major steps of surveying within an engineering project - setting up project control, completing topographic surveys including breaklines for terrain modeling, producing, transferring and extracting information with digital media, staking out alignment and grades for construction work. Advanced geomatics concepts such as ellipsoid, geoid, datum, projections, grids, and survey adjustments are introduced. Students become proficient at using total station equipment for pickup and layout and develop confidence in the accuracy and precision of various measuring methods. AutoCAD Civil 3D is used to develop terrain and simple road corridor design used in the stakeout.
Prerequisite: SURV 1001, COMP 1003

BLDG2006 Highway Technology 2

This course introduces students to principles involved in the design, construction, and operations of roads and highways in Ontario, building on the basic knowledge gained in Geomatics, Computer Applications, and AutoCAD courses. Topics include road classification, level of service, interpreting topography, drainage requirements, and advanced highway geometry. AutoCAD Civil 3D is introduced to support highway design using Civil 3D Surface, Alignment, Profile, Assembly, and Corridor objects.
Prerequisite: SURV 1001, COMP 1003, CADD 1005

WKPL2034 Placement (Survey)

Students are placed with local surveying firms one day per week for 11 weeks of the fall semester.
Prerequisite: ( SAFE 2001 or SURV 1002 )

SURV1011 Survey Drafting

This course explores various techniques used to acquire, manage, map, analyze and communicate information based on measurements made on or near the earth’s surface using the latest computer software. Learners will receive a systematic introduction to the terminology used, the software employed to verify and develop data from field measurements, and produce plans acceptable to the stakeholders in the surveying profession.
Prerequisite: CADD 1004

Using Autodesk Civil 3D this course teaches the principals and processes for the creation of municipal road, drainage, and services. Students will select a parcel of land and, through the course materials – lectures, demonstrations, text, standards, examples, tutorials, and assignments – produce an urban municipal subdivision design.
Prerequisite: BLDG 2006

BLDG3009 Remote Sensing

Using aerial photos and simple instruments, students learn to make quantitative measurements of area and height. Rural and urban terrain features on the photographs are studied for purposes of recognition and evaluation.

A study of acts and regulations affecting planning in Ontario together with the survey requirements for the preparation of draft plans of subdivisions. Preparations of final plans of subdivisions are also studied.

SURV2002 Real Property Law

Students study real estate transactions and title searching in Ontario.

Turn your diploma into a degree

Many universities across Canada and abroad will provide credit recognition for your diploma studies at Loyalist. The following is a list of agreements that are currently in place. There are many more options, and new agreements are added annually. Contact your university of choice to make individual arrangements.

Algoma University — B.A.; B.B.A.; B.Sc.; Bach. Computer Science

Brock University — various*

Davenport University – B.A. General Business

Lakehead University — various*

Laurentian University — various*

Nipissing University — various*

Seneca College — Bach. Interdisciplinary Studies

University of Ontario Institute of Techology — B.A. Adult Education and Digital Technology

Professional certification

College graduates must apply to the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) to be certified in Ontario. Loyalist Civil Engineering Technician and Technologist graduates meet the academic requirements for accreditation as a Certified Technician (C.Tech.). Applicants are also required to:

Complete additional work experience

Provide peer references

Pass a Professional Practice Examination administered by OACETT, offered four times a year

How much will it cost?

Approximate costs (2018 – 19)

Domestic Tuition/Ancillary Fees: $4,322.54 (two semesters)

Additional Program Costs: Year one: $661

Additional costs, such as travel and parking, may be incurred during placements.

Bursaries and financial assistance

Loyalist has a number of scholarships, bursaries and academic awards available to students. Our Financial Aid Office can help you explore your options, or assist you with a student loan.

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation

OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, AND

Recommended academic preparation

Grade 11 & 12 Math (MCF 3M & MCT 4C)

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Applicants with work experiences or other types of non-credentialed learning may be eligible for credits at Loyalist. Graded credits (as opposed to exemptions) are granted. Click here for more information about our assessment and credit challenge process.

International students

Click here for information about how to apply, international student fees and more.

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